Ogden Valley Planning Commission Work Session Tuesday

Below is the agenda for Tuesday's Planning Commission work session.  We will highlight one item and suggest that the neighbors of the Green Valley Academy carefully scrutinize this proposed amendment since the changes could effect their appeal.  The meeting will be held in the Weber County Commission Chambers, Weber Center (2380 Washington Blvd). The meeting will begin at 5:00 pm in the order listed below.

1. Ordinance to amend Board of Adjustment Chapter 29

2. Ogden Valley General Plan Trails Element

3. Ordinance to amend Home Occupations Chapter 34

4. County Commission Curb, Gutter and Sidewalk Deferral Policy Information

5. Other

6. Adjourn

Download a full copy of the Ogden Valley March 01, 2011 packet, in Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF), here. Packets are available only for the current agenda and approximately thirty days after that date.

Local Weighs In On Heliport

Guest Post from Sandra 'Lived here 42 years' Tuck

We the down trodden residents who have lived here because there were no
Planes Trains and few automobiles. The last few years the wahna be rich want to bring
the few rich so they can fly over the mountain and some ski down. I wish they would
find a rainbow. They are obnoxious and consider their want's only. 

Let them go to Park city and Deer Valley because they cater to obnoxious and self serving people.

CUP for Eden Helipad Is REJECTED. But Citizen Input is Needed NOW.

Guest Post by Lee Schussman, Eden, UT

The Ogden Valley Planning Commission met last night and REJECTED the proposed CUP for a helicopter-landing pad at the Red Moose Lodge in Eden.

The helicopter operators and the Red Moose Lodge now have 15 days to appeal to the Weber County Commissioners to try to get them to reverse this rejection.

The Weber County Commissioners will have to make a final decision re granting a CUP for landing and taking off of helicopters from the center of Eden’s residential and business center

Last year, with no legal permit, the helicopters flew in and out of “downtown” Eden (up to 22 times a day!) Soon, at Ogden Valley Planning Commission meetings, dozens of citizens spoke against a helipad in this location; and any more signed Aubrey Carver’s petition against the Eden helipad. This year, with many concerns still unanswered, a CUP for the helipad has been once again requested.

If you have an interest in this issue, it is time to make your opinion known. Please consider doing the following NOW:

1. Go to the Ogden Valley Forum web site. Scroll down to the posting of January 28, 2011 titled “Letter to Planning Commission Re Helipad.” If you agree with those points, please take the time send a quick e-mail to:

Shelly Halacy, Administrative Assistant to the Weber County Commission. Her e-mail is shalacy@co.weber.ut.us.

Express your concern and opinions, and request that Ms Halacy forward your e-mail and concerns to all three County Commissioners.

2. Go to the Ogden Valley Forum web site. Scroll down the right side to the web link to “Weber County Commissioners”. Visit that site and stay current with their agenda and up-coming meetings and consider attending and participating.

It is unknown if the County Commissioners will make accommodations for any further public input at future meetings re this issue, so please take a few minutes and e-mail NOW. Also, please contact any like-minded friends or neighbors and urge them to stay vigilant and actively participating in the soon-to-be-made County Commissioners’ decisions, as these decisions will affect us all for years in the future.

Pow Mow wants to join the United Nations

Submitted by Greg Anderson

There's a new YouTube video in which someone supposedly representing Powder
Mountain is angry that "PowMow" will not be admitted into the United
Nations. It's all played for laughs but, after the recent "Powder Mountain
Town" events around here, I'm not sure that Ogden Valley residents will find
it very funny. You be the judge.

An Ogden Valley Adventure You’ll Remember for a Lifetime

A Sunday Morning Exclusive
By Joe Laing, El Monte RV Rentals

There are three main ingredients for a memorable RV vacation, and Utah’s Ogden Valley offers them all. There are outdoor recreation opportunities everywhere you turn, scenic campgrounds ready to welcome travelers and historic attractions waiting to fascinate. Keep reading to find out how you can plan an Ogden Valley RV Adventure you’ll remember for a lifetime.

Where to Camp in Utah’s Ogden Valley
Before jumping right into the abundance of Ogden Valley campgrounds, let’s discover exactly where this scenic valley lies. East of The Great Salt Lake and also east of Ogden, Utah, the Ogden Valley is nestled against the Wasatch Mountains and plays host to the Ogden River and Pineview Reservoir.

What that means for RV camping fans is that you’ll find campgrounds tucked into some of the prettiest scenery imaginable. National Forest Service campgrounds in the Ogden Valley are a good place to start your planning. Public lands surrounding Pineview Reservoir and the South Fork of the Ogden River, in particular, offer amazing campsites, if you’re willing to plan for boondocking or limited services.

What to Do Outdoors in Utah’s Ogden Valley
For a truly memorable RV trip to the Ogden Valley, choose hiking trails that fit your level of activity and then get out into the great outdoors. Whether you choose to hike or ride a mountain bike, explore trails like the Monte Cristo, above eight thousand feet in elevation, or the Northern Skyline Trail along the Wasatch front; the vistas are unforgettable.

Come in May to watch the wildlife come alive, in late summer for spectacular wildflower displays or in early autumn for brilliant fall foliage. The National Forest kindly provides a listing of popular Ogden area trails. By the way, this valley is also known for world-class ski resorts such as Powder Mountain and Snowbasin, and summer trails around the resorts make for some great hiking. Outfitters at the resorts also offer summer adventures such as 4x4 off-road tours and lift-served mountain biking.

Prefer to spend at least part of your vacation on the water? Pineview Reservoir is popular among water skiing enthusiasts, and the bright blue waters of this mountain lake yield trophy-size tiger muskie to challenge the anglers in your group. Plan to spend time enjoying the beaches and take advantage of the well-run marina.

What’s Historical about Utah’s Ogden Valley?
The three small communities you’ll find in Utah’s Ogden Valley – Huntsville, Eden and Liberty – have their roots in the 1860s. History buffs will find plenty of interesting attractions in the area. Huntsville, for example, is home to the first tavern in Utah, the Shooting Star, where you can absorb a little western tavern culture along with classic bar fare. Or visit historic Our Lady of the Holy Trinity Trappist Monastery in Huntsville, where guests will find a nicely-stocked religious book store and the abbey’s famous creamed honey for sale.

Learn more about early Utah history with a visit to the birthplace of David O. McKay, an early leader of the LDS church. Take time to tour Huntsville’s first permanent dwelling with a trip to the Aldous Cabin. Or just soak up the charm of a rustic mountain village with a stroll through The Village at Huntsville Square, a retail and entertainment area.

You’re going to love the time you spend RV camping in Utah’s Ogden Valley. Whether you’re itching to hit the trails or simply to spend time in a peaceful mountainside campsite, your Ogden Valley adventure will be one you’ll remember for a lifetime.

About the Author
Joe Laing is the Marketing Director for El Monte RV Rentals. For other great RV camping vacation ideas see the Monty's Musings RV Camping Blog or the new Monty's RV Vacation Photo / Picture Gallery.

Guest post by LeeAnn

Orrin Hatch has an agenda of :
Meeting with Interior Secretary Salazar, Head of BLM on Administration's Devastating New Land Policy.
He wrote:

"I made it very clear to the Secretary and Director Abby that the Administration’s new Wild Lands policy will be devastating to rural Utah and those communities in our state that depend on access to public lands. Closing off so much land in Utah is unacceptable. The people of our state are sick and tired of being dictated to by Washington bureaucrats. The secretary and Director Abby told me that they would examine the impact of this new Administration policy – I will hold them to that. There can and will be no empty promises from the Administration on this reckless policy.”

Let me rewrite Orrin Hatch letter for Ogden Valley vs. Green Valley Academy:

We, the citizen of Ogden Valley, make it very clear to our GVA, OVPC, Weber County Commissioners, Our State Representative Gage Froerer that Utah acceptance of Therapeutic Schools is very devastating to rural Utah. Using land where water is such a premium, and the water reservoir is easily contaminated if the sewer system is not regulated closely. The people of our Ogden Valley and Utah state are sick and tired of being dictated to by GVA bureaucrats and government bureaucrats. We want our state and local government to look into this reckless policy.

Orrin Hatch is worried about the large wild lands, but it appears that these wild lands will be used by GVA as they slowly take over the state with one school at a time. So why preserve these lands and ignore the local smaller rural areas? It boils down to the vote versus the dollar.

GVA Neighborhood Meeting Tonight

February 8, 2011

7:00 pm

Huntsville Library

******IT ISN'T OVER******

RE:   GREEN VALLEY ACADEMY

This is an update regarding the Residential Treatment Facility.

Many who attended the OVPC meeting on January 25, 2011 may have left thinking it was all over.  Most, if not all, left in complete shock.  I want you to know that there are some developments.

Two appeals disputing the OVPC decision have been filed.  One is filed with the Weber County Commissioners, the other to the Board of Adjustments.  The dates of the appeal hearings have not been identified. 

We need everybody to stay active.  Everyone who is against this proposal needs to write a letter to the Weber County Commissioners. 

You may send by mail to each commissioner, or one letter to all commissioners, requesting that a copy by provided to each commissioner.  The names of the commissioners are Jan Zogmaister, Craig Dearden and Kerry Gibson.  The address is 2380 Washington Blvd, Ogden, Utah 84401. 

If you prefer to use email, send one to each commissioner at the following:
     jzogmaister@co.weber.ut.us
     cdearden@co.weber.ut.us
     kgibson@co.weber.ut.us
Or you may send one email to aprince@co.weber.ut.us and request that a copy by provided to each commissioner.

Either way that you choose, you need to place Green Valley Academy, DR 2010-09, in the subject.

There will be another public meeting scheduled for:

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

7:00 PM

at the Ogden Valley Library.  

This is a public meeting and anyone can attend.  However, those who are for this residential treatment facility, or agents for the petitioners or petitioners themselves, please reconsider if you are attending.  There will be no disputes resolved between parties this night.  The next step towards resolution will be taken at the appeal hearings. 

Because not all people who are concerned about the Green Valley Academy read this blog, please make calls, knock on doors, whatever you can to get the word out.  If you haven't already done so, and have some spare cash, please consider a donation to the Ogden Valley Protection Fund at Zions Bank. 

Thanks.
Teri Busick

Mailing List Created For Concerned Ogden Valley Citizens

Comment by Fred that was promoted to the front page due to importance

I've read a lot of comments about how the Planning Commission and Weber County Commission don't care and it's all about the money. I don't have enough experience to render judgement.

But, I think I have enough experience to know that the burden of proof is upon us, the community. GVA has found an avenue and while it is obviously not a good fit in its current location, the law and zoning favors them at this time.

Jared Balmer, by his own admission on the first go around, stated that his business is a hybrid approach that zoning does not specifically address and thus he has to pick the closest one.

This is not just a Weber County Problem. It is a national dilema that commissions and communities are grappling with. If we rally to institute a clear definition of RTC's in the zoning and then define zones in which they are permitted as well as stipulations, we won't have to continually battle these businesses trying to find somewhere to "fit."

To further this cause, I have built a mailing list that concerned Ogden Valley citizens can subscribe to who want to contribute to evolving a solution and presenting it to the county. You can join the list by clicking this link to read the terms and sign up. This will allow us to collaborate via our inboxes. I look forward to your participation!